#665

I think so. Set a pickup machine to record input a (dry signal in) and c (output from your external effect). Record a loop then turn up the cue output of your pickup machine (or just enable the track for cue output depending on your cue mode/preference). Your cue output goes to external effect in. Now overdub on the pickup machine. Use AB and CD inputs if your instrument/effects are stereo.

Haven’t tried this specifically but I think you can also use an internal track as your “external effect”. Track 1 is pickup and track 2 is your feedback loop effect track. Set track 1 to record input a as before and src 3 to record track 2. On track 2 (flex machine) set the record buffer to record track 1 and set a recorder trig to record every bar with a playback trig to play back every bar. You may have to offset the recorder trig or playback trig with micro timing so that it’s not one bar behind. Now the OT effects on track 2 are in your feedback loop. I’ll test this out later to make sure it works - seems like fun.

5 Likes
#666

Very cool, interested to see what you find

#667

I’m late to the game but I’ve just got my first Octatrack (MKII). I’ve also got some other Elektron boxes (Model:Cycles and A4 MKII) that I acquired after getting rid of my eurorack stuff (the idea was to do something like “less sounds, more music”). I’ve started to learn the sequencer on the M:C since I think it’s the least complex of them. I’m most excited about the OT thou.
Whats the best starting point to get familiar with the device (I’m going to print the manual and read this thread from start to end). Youtube links are appreciated.

1 Like
#668

Recently started to try to “learn” the Octatrack for a second time. My recommendation is to pick a specific thing that you want to accomplish, then find content to help you to achieve that end.

This step has been the difference between success & failure for me.

4 Likes
#669

Always have the manual easily accessible.

Merlin’s Guide (A polished version of Merlin's OT guide here - Octatrack - Elektronauts) is a classic.

Here is a map of lots of videos (it might be old though) Elektron Octatrack Video Tutorial Index by Modula... | MindMeister

My first recommendation is to load up some of your own samples and mess around. And don’t expect anything productive while you learn: it’s worth the effort.

Also: there was an big update recently. So youll want to ensure you’re using OS 1.40A and have the new manual.

4 Likes
#670

This is something that really helped me learn the Octatrack.

I would say this is also good advice. Create a “sandbox” or “playground” project and don’t worry about “breaking” stuff in there. Just practice, try different things out, don’t worry about the results. Removing the frustration of “mistakes” will allow you to concentrate more on the workflow and getting that right.

The biggest thing for me, though, since you mentioned the model:cycles is to get familiar with difference between how sounds are managed on the Octatrack. On the M:C, sounds are stored in each pattern. On the Octatrack, each pattern will use the same sounds (samples) unless you change parts. That’s a high-level, quick overview of the main difference, but it’s critical to know. You’re going to create a pattern in the OT, then change a sample in a new pattern and wonder why your original pattern is all messed up. It’s OK - we’ve all done it!

Check out elektronauts (tons of information there), or come back here with questions.

2 Likes
#671

I’m curious how everyone is using Octatrack in conjunction with their DAWs? I’m having my annual “why don’t I just use my computer?” crisis and I had the idea to use my Octatrack as master sequencer and route audio from my interface to the inputs. Of course the downside is that I would need to pipe the audio back to my computer for recording but I think I have enough in’s and outs to make it work.

Anyone else doing something similar?

1 Like
#672

My “sandbox” is a project called “TRIALS” and I’m slowly figuring it out.
Having a ton of fun learning.

Something I see often is people saying to turn off the time stretch… I have kind of figured out how to do this, but curious if there is some menu setting I am missing that does it over all tracks?
Also, (and this is my inexperience talking very loudly) is there a way to play a sample without it starting over when the pattern resets? I have some longer ambient textures that I’d love to have occur slowly over time, but am currently restricted to covering the “reset” sound with effects and creative muting of tracks.

2 Likes
#673

There are numerous ways to do this – the one I’d reach for first is one-shot trigs. They trigger once, then you need to re-arm them for them to do anything. If memory serves, you get a normal trig and function-press it. It’s been a while, so sorry if this is incorrect :slight_smile: In the manual, however!

1 Like
#674

The crossfader and scene locks.

#675

I’ve just started to use Renoise again, this time with Octatrack. The Renoise audio editor has been one of my favourite things about Renoise. For basic or even deeper tasks it’s so quick.

Usually it’s a field recording to start things of. I take just a tiny fragment and loop it, then take another one, layer them, reshape them via amp envelope…etc. I send this new sample/instrument to Octatrack and just play/jam with it, use another samples, loop them without a trig (hold-rel → inf) but I use trigless locks a lot, then resample it or just record it into Renoise. I have also automation devices on Renoise and use them to send CC messages to tracks of Octatrack. It’s quite easy to switch between patterns as well.

I think, this way, Renoise is like the second Octatrack for me.

2 Likes
#676

In addition to one shots there is also a trig condition that plays it once only.

@ThurberMingus You could also use the track recorders to record the tracks and then move the files into your DAW.

1 Like
#677

This is really great advice, thanks for sharing. I definitely get anxious about destructive moves when working in a project. I usually just keep a template, which always has a backup, start from there every time I turn the ot on then reload when I’m done or save as new if I want to continue another time

I just got a rytm, which is my first mk1and I feel like I’ve been kind of spoiled by the mk2 workflow. It feels nice though, something new after already getting a good grasp on the more recent elektron workflow

@ThurberMingus im interested in this too. Keep us up to date if you figure out a good workflow.

I have an ableton output from my Scarlett interface constantly coming into input A for sampling vocals from simpler or my field recordings/granular m4l processing experiments. Then I have the main outs from the Octa going into 1 and 2 of the Scarlett on an audio track for master mix downs but I would like to Have them both linked more closely maybe with the external effect plugins or something for more live loop back routing.

I still haven’t used overbridge much for anything but sound design on rare occasion since I like routing everything through the octatrack before it hits ableton for the stereo mix but multi tracking is also a goal of mine. I can’t really figure out a solution there. The current setup works for now but isn’t ideal for the kind of precise mixing or mastering I’d want for album material

1 Like
#678

I don’t sequence any hardware from my computer. I just use plugins if I build something there. Octatrack receives clock only, and doesn’t send any midi back either. My hardware and software setups live in kind of different worlds this way. I try to think what is the thing each piece in my studio excels at and trying to play to their strengths rather than thinking how something could do a thing it doesn’t intuitively fit into. For example, I don’t like sample editing and sequencing on the computer at all except for programming very spesific drums or “tape like” manipulation of longer recorded pieces, so Octatrack handles one-shots and the like. And drums when I don’t have clear spesific thing I want to do, or want to make more complex patterns with probability or lot’s of per-step manipulation and so on. In a lot of aspects it comes to immediacy vs. precision: I generally lean towards hardware workflow that has rewarding immediacy and while OT could be programmed to do very, very spesific and “planned” things I rather just do such things in the DAW. But empty piano roll has nothing against the OT if I want to quickly put together a sequence to find and cultivate ideas, and modular is much more enjoyable for sculpting and finding new synth sounds than any plugin. But if I need spesific big chords for big and lush pads, I grab a midi keyboard, open that devastating piano roll and a plugin.

2 Likes
#679

I am dawless and I do all of my sequencing these days in the Ocatrack. There are certainly some limitations that I have spent some time build up work arounds (It has never sounded good to me to have all of my notes on a chord be the same velocity, length and note on position) but it is an incredibly capable brain for a smallish studio.

Also I tried to do a waltz during jamuary and totally lost the plot at some point while recording and it ended up 4/4 but with triplets. However I think that is more human error.

#680

This is exactly what I do. I sequence plugins in Ableton with the Octatrack. I will often create clips in Ableton & sample the DAW output into the OT at the same time. I usually have to fix the timing in the Ableton manually, but it’s quick. I also loop back audio from YouTube or Spotify sample little bits to mangle. It’s fun to put thousands of songs on shuffle and randomly sample stuff into the Octatrack without monitoring it.

#681

just posted this up. lookn like a one man band over here.

10 Likes
#682

This is so great. It really goes places. When the beat kicks in? Yow. So good.

1 Like
#683

I’ve been meaning to rip you off but using my late-grandfather’s accordion instead of sax. Excited to check this out when I’m not working!

1 Like
#684

Thank you :pray:t4: this jam / setup was definitely one of those “follow it where it goes” situations. Juggling a lot in the air here but a lot of fun too

Woa ! Can’t wait to hear that !! Love the sound of a dronin accordion. Looking forward to it :+1:t4:

1 Like